LB Obiozor Building On Rookie Year

Last spring during mini-camps and OTAs, as he made the transition from college defensive end to professional outside linebacker, non-drafted rookie Cyril Obiozor faced challenges from all directions.

Physically, he was learning the new position in his first NFL practices at a robust 270 pounds, having trained all winter believing he would be drafted as a hand-on-the-ground defensive end. Instead, his down lineman's body was in a stand-up position.

"Looking around I was like, 'I can't do it at this weight,'" Obiozor said.

Mentally, Obiozor was feeling a bit overwhelmed as well. He was doing his best with new defensive coordinator Dom Capers' thick 3-4 playbook, but it was a lot to absorb, with more responsibilities required than at his old defensive end spot.

"They put the whole thing in at once, just handed it to us," Obiozor said. "I'm like, 'Wow.' A set of plays can seem like a different language if you don't understand how it corresponds to you...